Every day leading into the new ski season, we will be highlighting ski resorts from around the world! Today we start with Alpbach ski resort in Austria. A popular destination with avid British skiers and snowboards with so much on offer. Whilst your here make sure you check out our fantastic Alpbach ski resort guide full of useful information to help you make the perfect choice for your next ski holiday! If you are eager to get away make sure you check out of Holiday Offers where you will find some of the best holidays available across the Alps and beyond!
Think of some of the loveliest slopes in Austria, combined with a picture-postcard traditional Tirolean village and you’ll have a good idea of what you can expect from the beautiful Alpbach piste map.
Known as the ‘village of thinkers’, its accreditation as location for the venue for the annual Alpbach European Forum has seen leading arts, politics and science experts visiting since 1945.
Let’s Talk Skiing in Alpbach
While Alpbach village is found at 1000 metres, most of the main skiing for the ski slopes of Alpbach is on the Wiedersberger Horn, which does mean a bus ride from the village. This isn’t ideal, however at 2025 metres, you’ll find the highest slopes of the available Alpbach pistes. There is a small ski area to be found 7km away at Reith-im-Alpbachtal where you’ll enjoy some of the best night skiing in Europe. You can also enjoy more skiing around the gondolas which go up Schatzberg; providing the vital lift and piste connection you’ll need to reach the neighbouring Wildschonau valley.
The area known as the ‘Ski Juwel’ – the combined Alpbachtal-Wildschonau ski area gives skiers 109km of Alpbach piste; although it’s actually recognised that there is 145km of active skiing to enjoy. You’ll find 45 lifts which give you access to about 70 runs; enough for a week’s holiday for most families that visit, dependent on good snow conditions. It’s not a high ski area, but the most important Alpbach pistes are reinforced with artificial snow-making. This does mean that cold night-time temperatures are needed, so the Alpbach weather is worth bearing in mind if you’re booking for an April ski holiday, unless you know it’s been a good season.
The Resort of Alpbach
Alpbach is the traditional smaller Austrian village that you’d expect. It can’t be compared with the larger, more commercialised Austrian and French villages, but that’s certainly a plus to be enjoyed. You’ll find that it’s got a really friendly feel about it. You are likely to find that English is spoken more here than other languages.
Staying in Alpbach
Austria is certainly renowned for its hospitality and spotless rooms – across all of its resorts. You’ll find a good choice of 3- and 4-star Alpbach hotels which make up the Alpbach ski accommodation. Top of the list is the historic 4-star superior Boglerhof and the 4-star Alphof, which are both highly rated. Alternatively, the Muehlbachhof and Bergof accommodation in Alpbach provide you with good choices for 3-star hotels, not forgetting the 3-star Post either; praised for punching above its weight. Another 4-star hotel in Inneralpbach that’s worth a look is the highly regarded and ideally-located Wiedersbergerhorn, a superb 4-star hotel. Other excellent choices include the simpler gasthauses, B&Bs and pensions.
Alpbach Snow Conditions
You’ll find an average of around 3 snow days per week through the season at the Alpbach piste. However it can fall as low as 1.8 for April, which means that it’s not a recommended ski location for Easter or Spring. There’s an average of 16/17cm of snowfall per week. It’s worth bearing in mind that 85% of the slopes across the Ski Juwell connected ski area are covered by artificial snow-making.
Alpbach Resort Life
Alpach is a gorgeous small and charming village. You’ve got great atmosphere and après ski in Alpbach and it’s a perfect location for those looking for relaxation and beautiful views. Alpbach is certainly quieter than its larger neighbour ski resorts, but you’ll still find a few buzzing bars if you’re looking to party. Alpbach has managed to keep its alpine charm thanks to a strict planning bylaw that restricts what can be built in the village.
Locals are very welcoming. Although you’re more likely to hear an English accent on the ski slopes of Alpbach than a local. Farming still goes on, and the runs that you’ll enjoy during the ski season become grazing land in the summer months.
What’s Good About Alpbach?
We’re not surprised that Alpach was the winner of the ‘Most Beautiful Village in Austria’. A beautiful Tirolean village featuring the traditional dark-wooden chalets, you’ll find a pretty little church in the centre; well worth a visit. Set amongst a pine forest background, take a short bus ride to the ski lifts, your Alpbach ski lift pass will take you from Inneralpbach or Liftstuberl. You’ve also got a wide variety of mountain huts to refresh and revive you.
Non-skiers in Alpbach are catered for too, with lots of choice from tobogganing and winter-walking. Visitors can also enjoy boarding and cross-country skiing. Accommodation in Alpbach is mainly made up of smaller family-run hotels with not that many self-catering apartments, so it’s worth booking early. If you choose to stay in Inneralpbach, you can also make use of the gondolas there so you won’t miss the fresh slopes in the morning.
The SnowResort Verdict
A great resort that is definitely family-friendly, the ski slopes of Alpbach have been popular in both winter and summer with British skiers long before ski tourism took over. It’s a great place for beginners – including children – looking to try the Alpbach pistes, with the tree-lined and gentle blue and run routes also great for intermediates. We also like Alpbach as it does have some challenging black runs, as well as some great off-piste terrain that’s not too busy, and deep snow freeriding; ideal for exploring with a guide.
If you like the sound of Alpbach do not forget to check out our fantastic Alpbach ski resort guide! If you fancy making Austria your next ski destination then also check out our St Anton & Ischgl resort guides.
